Whatever hard feelings existed between Peyton Manning and Jim Irsay over how Manning’s 14-year Colts career ended have long since evaporated. They may not have actually existed in a real sense, if Manning’s advice to the owner about the 2012 draft—where Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck was available— is any indication.

"I saw the comments. And to be honest with you, I thought it was a bit of a cheap shot," Fox said. "To me, in my opinion, they were disappointing and inappropriate.

"Peyton would never say anything. He's too classy to do that. They sounded a little ungrateful and unappreciative to me. For a guy who has set a standard, won a Super Bowl, won four MVP awards ... be thankful of that one Super Bowl ring, because a lot of people don't have one."

Whether it was Manning's idea or not, the Colts did indeed use the first overall pick that April on Luck. Manning returns to Indianapolis Sunday with the team he chose later that summer, the Denver Broncos. Luck is the opposing quarterback, with a 16-8 career regular-season and postseason record after Monday night’s loss in San Diego.

"I think it's perfect," Irsay told the paper. "What's happened is what Peyton and I hoped would happen. The desire was for him to get well and get to a team that has a chance to win another Super Bowl before his career ended. And our desire was to be able to transition to Andrew. To be so good so soon is stunning."

“So soon” is accurate: the Colts went 2-14 while Manning recovered in 2011 from multiple neck surgeries. The team overhauled everything, from players to head coach to front office, once Irsay chose to part ways with Manning and relieve themselves of his $28 million bonus for 2012.

"Circumstances created this decision," Irsay told USA Today. "You have to understand there's no way this occurs if he's in Indy. It's just impossible, where our salary cap was. Having him stay at the type of number that he expected and deserved to earn and all those things."